Troubleshooting Clam Shell Trailer Lighting that Flickers Depending on Lid Position

Updated 01/02/2018 | Published 12/31/2017

Question:

Just bought a used clam shell trailer ive re wired trailers before but never delt with a clam shell and the wiring the lights on the clamshell dont work at all only one flickers on when the shells closed then when u lift it the back lights on main trailer your stop turn and red running lights cut out untill shell is closed again i found where the shell is tapped into main wiring on trailer i dont like the connection thats on there it t tapped not spliced and tapped with a water resistant one im gunna fix that issue but does the shell have to be grounded to the trailer or should i try to run a dedicated ground to the ground going to the vehicle?

asked by: Justin

Expert Reply:

The problem you are experiencing is a grounding issue. What you'll want to do is run a jumper ground wire from the top of the clam shell to the lower piece as it sounds like you have a weaker ground circuit that is trying to ground through the clamshell which isn't reliable and instead needs to be grounding through wiring.

We see this more commonly with dump trailers which are slightly different, but the concept is the same.

expert reply by: Jameson C